Albion

It was interesting to read some of the comments from readers in today's Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/12/02/astronomers-accuse-elon-musk-blocking-stars-starlink-satellites/, in reaction to an article on Low Earth Orbit satellites and the Royal Astronomical Society raising concerns about Starlink satellites and similar (Oneweb, Amazon) on astronomy. ''Yeah, providing low cost, high speed internet access to the poor and remote of the world, connecting them so that they can trade and earn money is a tad foolish. Far better to keep giving money to dictators in the hope that some of it passes down to them.'' ''Academics or progress? Let the academics put their telescopes above the low earth orbit satellites that people need and contribute to wealth creation'' and my favourite; ''Eccentric First World star gazers would deny Third World citizens the right to a connection to the internet just because it would interfere with their precious little hobby!''

sorry about that, I'll make sure I get mis-matched equipment next time...I wouldn't want to offend your sensibilities.

My first astro rig and I've only had one clear night in North Oxfordshire since Christmas....I must say, this astrophotography lark seems to have its funny moments!

Morning all and Happy New Year I took receipt of a GEM45 over Christmas and took it out for a spin last night, only to find that when I turned it on this morning, the handset would not operate or even give me a menu, other than to tell me ''Connection Error: Main Board''. I connected my ASI Air Pro to the mount's USB and was able to rotate the RA via the ASI Air App, but not able to rotate the Dec and the power out connection on the saddle was not delivering any power. From this I conclude that potentially a plug has been pulled internally or similar. Does this sound reasonable and if so, is this something I can resolve myself by opening something up, or am I looking at a return to the vendor? I have the latest firmware installed for both the mount and the handset.

Having been abroad since January, I came back last week and lo and behold.....look what was waiting for me....nice clear skies in North Oxon today as well!!! Thanks FLO for all your assistance.... 2C6DA83D-AE27-4534-941A-00B8A88C4475.heic 3FD075D1-933C-480C-ABC3-727CA97BE8BC.heic A0C5B20C-6D74-4EE5-8D07-E740088C363C.heic 2BDCF0D1-9625-4928-9FC5-9E28565D2FC0.heic C757016A-C8F3-4563-A8F9-E50472EEA100.heic

Many thanks for the information.

Evening all I would like to mount a GEM45 to a Berlebach Planet, however Berlebach have advised that they have to date, not received an enquiry for this combination and have asked if the footprint/mounting holes are the same as existing/previous iOptron mounts, that they do provide plates for; IEQ 30/CEM40 IEQ45/CEM60 CEM120 CEM25/ZEQ25 Does anyone know, possibly a current GEM45 owner, if the GEM45 baseplate matches any of the above, that Berlebach currently support? Berlebach have offered to make a new plate, if none of the above fit, but I I would of course need the dimensions, presumably ioptron would offer these up? Regards